Southern California -- this just in

Videotape of LAPD, bicyclist clash is 'disturbing,' Villaraigosa says

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition that a videotaped incident between LAPD officers and cyclists in Hollywood was "disturbing" and should be investigated.

The mayor shared his thoughts in a short letter to the coalition, which had asked him to comment on the video.

"I fully support LAPD Chief Charlie Beck’s efforts to improve the
relationship between cyclists and police officers, and I was very disappointed to hear about the confrontation in Hollywood on May 28," the mayor said in the statement. "The video from that night is disturbing. The LAPD is conducting a
full investigation of this incident, and I have complete confidence in
Chief Beck’s commitment to making the city’s streets safe for everyone."

Four police officers involved in a clash with cyclists have been removed from field duty while
investigators review the incident. The Los Angeles Police Department launched an internal investigation into the Friday night
altercation after a videotape that appears to show an officer kicking
the wheel of a passing bicyclist circulated across the Internet.

Several bike riders have accused police of other aggressive
behavior during the ride, including allegations that police tackled
several cyclists off their bikes and jammed a baton into the spokes of
one bicycle. None of those incidents is shown on the tape.